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Christopher Redmayne #6
The Painted Lady
Araminta Jewell is one of the beauties of her day. Even her marriage to the staid and ugly Sir Martin Culthorpe has not discouraged her hordes of admirers.
It is during her first sitting for a portrait painted by the fashionable French artist Jean-Paul Villemot that the architect Christopher Redmayne meets the lovely Lady Culthorpe, although he has heard much about her through his brother Henry, one of her most ardent pursuers. Before the portrait can be finished and revealed, however, Sir Martin is murdered. Joining forces with his good friend, the puritan constable Jonathan Bale, Christopher embarks on a quest to discover the killer's real identity.
In his latest Restoration mystery, Edward Marston, the master of historical detail, reveals the dark and often debauched depths of seventeenth-century London society.
It is during her first sitting for a portrait painted by the fashionable French artist Jean-Paul Villemot that the architect Christopher Redmayne meets the lovely Lady Culthorpe, although he has heard much about her through his brother Henry, one of her most ardent pursuers. Before the portrait can be finished and revealed, however, Sir Martin is murdered. Joining forces with his good friend, the puritan constable Jonathan Bale, Christopher embarks on a quest to discover the killer's real identity.
In his latest Restoration mystery, Edward Marston, the master of historical detail, reveals the dark and often debauched depths of seventeenth-century London society.
279 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
11 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Edward Marston
231 books473 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
A pseudonym used by Keith Miles
AKA A.E. Marston
Keith Miles (born 1940) is an English author, who writes under his own name and also historical fiction and mystery novels under the pseudonym Edward Marston. He is known for his mysteries set in the world of Elizabethan theatre. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book, a series of The Railway Detective and a series of The Home Front Detective.
Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
A pseudonym used by Keith Miles
AKA A.E. Marston
Keith Miles (born 1940) is an English author, who writes under his own name and also historical fiction and mystery novels under the pseudonym Edward Marston. He is known for his mysteries set in the world of Elizabethan theatre. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book, a series of The Railway Detective and a series of The Home Front Detective.
Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 26, 2024
Araminta Jewell is considered a true jewell by her suitors who have even formed a society around her, so when she marries an ugly man no one had considered in the running for her chastity, her fans aren't ready to give up so easily. So when her husband is murdered, Christopher Redmayne must sift through the many suspects to find the killer.
May 3, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book and found the historical element quite fascinating. I also enjoyed trying to solve the mystery (unsuccessfully) throughout the book. I couldn't quite relate to the motivation behind some of the characters and thought the detectives could have unravelled some things earlier. Overall, I was glad I read the book and would read more of Marston's books.
October 26, 2017
Araminta Jewell is the idol of a group of restoration rakes with their eyes on her virginity. She scuppers their plans by marrying. One of them, however, is not standing for this, and when her husband is murdered it is up to Christopher Redmayne and Jonathan Bale to find the culprit before an innocent man is executed for a crime he didn't commit.
The sixth, and sadly, last of the Christopher Redmayne novels by Edward Marston. He switched to doing only his railway crime novels after this one. Which is a massive disappointment as Christopher Redmayne and Jonathan Bale are the most delightful and unlikely crime fighting duo since Randall and Hopkirk (deceased).
Full of glorious restoration period detail and wonderfully colourful characters, including Christopher's dissolute brother Henry. "The Painted Lady" is a glorious high note to the series.
I still want more. :(
The sixth, and sadly, last of the Christopher Redmayne novels by Edward Marston. He switched to doing only his railway crime novels after this one. Which is a massive disappointment as Christopher Redmayne and Jonathan Bale are the most delightful and unlikely crime fighting duo since Randall and Hopkirk (deceased).
Full of glorious restoration period detail and wonderfully colourful characters, including Christopher's dissolute brother Henry. "The Painted Lady" is a glorious high note to the series.
I still want more. :(
September 1, 2018
L'idea di un poliziesco storico mi ha intrigata ma c'è molto poco di storico. La lettura è scorrevole ma non accattivante, l'intrigo ha poco spessore. Insomma, anche se la lettura resta piacevole, non mi sento proprio di consigliarlo.
March 30, 2020
So much of the enjoyment with an audio book depends on the narration and although on the whole this book was well-narrated, for me it was just a little bit OTT regarding the audio characterisation. However, once I got used to the narrator's interpretation, I found it reasonably entertaining.
March 23, 2010
2.5 stars
I can't decide if I like Christopher Redmayne or not....and given that he's a pretty big part of the Christopher Redmayne books, that could be a problem.
The mystery was predictable, the dialog horrendous (comprised of clipped, short sentences throughout), the character development non-existent (everybody is either pure of thought, or a sinner of the worst kind) and yet, I read the full book and don't feel it was a complete waste of time. I may even give Christopher another try.
I can't decide if I like Christopher Redmayne or not....and given that he's a pretty big part of the Christopher Redmayne books, that could be a problem.
The mystery was predictable, the dialog horrendous (comprised of clipped, short sentences throughout), the character development non-existent (everybody is either pure of thought, or a sinner of the worst kind) and yet, I read the full book and don't feel it was a complete waste of time. I may even give Christopher another try.
March 4, 2026
Unfortunately, the final book in the Christopher Redmayne series, has by far been the least enjoyable. Where the plot kind of repeats itself from an earlier book, in that Christopher and constable Jonathan Bale, are working toward the release of a person they presume to be innocent, from Newgate Goal. This time however, instead of the prisoner being the investigative architect's profligate brother, Henry Redmayne, it's the person whom has commissioned Christopher Redmayne in his latest architectural project, French artist, Jean-Paul Villemot, whom has been accused of the murder of Sir Martin Culthorpe.
Sir Martin Culthorpe's claim to fame, is simply because he was married to one, Araminta Culthorpe (née Jewell). Presumably a maiden of such stunning grace, poise and angelic beauty, she could stop a man dead in his tracks, and reduce him to nothing more than a quivering jelly, ready to forsake all, and worship at her feet!
What a load of old bollocks, haha! Nevertheless, it was what it was, and unsurprisingly, Araminta Culthorpe, most definitely had that effect on Henry Redmayne and a group of his friends, whom were every bit as seedy and unprincipled as he was, Sir Willard Grail, Elkannah Prout and Jocelyn Kidbrooke. Whom had egregiously come together to form a 'Society', dedicated to the pursuit of Araminta's deflowering (even although she was married, they didn't believe that Sir Martin had had the wherewithal to consummate it), basically, it was organised stalking and misogyny. Very much reminding me of a seventeenth century equivalent of Mark and Gerard's, 'Dobby Club' from 'Peep Show', or indeed, Ted, Dom (Woogie), Healy and Tucker's ill thought out stalking quartet from, 'There's Something About Mary', but instead of playing it for laughs, here, the author's tales of unrequited love (or 'lust' would be more appropriate) are, as well as being arduously tedious, were also offensively ugly.
Anyway, Sir Martin Culthorpe commissions Jean-Paul Villemot to paint a portrait of Araminta. But as well as the tedium of endless paragraphs about which clothes she will wear during the sitting, where she eventually let's Villemot choose a blue dress, which she will wear for the portrait, we also have to put up with grovelling, sycophantic servants, who's acquiescence to their 'betters' is really quite nauseating, for example, Araminta's maid, Eleanor Ryle, who's 'silent dream', was to 'wear her mistress's blue dress', I mean, c'mon, WTF?! And during the first sitting, the artist asked his model, a couple of everyday questions, but instead of just answering, like a normal person, we had this,
'Jean-Paul Villemot, in her opinion, had overstepped the bounds of propriety.'
Oh do just f*ck off! Haha! F*cking 'propriety' again (see my review of 'The Frost Fair' book #4)!
So eventually, Sir Martin is stabbed in the back, while relaxing in his garden, and because Villemot was spotted in the vicinity, at around the same time, naturally he is accused and after a short hunt, is caught and thrown in jail to await trial. Apart from the fact, that this is almost the exact same plot as 'The Frost Fair', just with different people, we can also throw another recurrence from that book into the mix too, 'predictability'! Not that I'm criticising predictability on its own (de)merit per se, no, some great books can be a bit predictable, it's just that it's part of the overall build up, that turns this book into a particular grind!
It was pretty easy to guess who the culprit was here, out of the four principal scoundrels whom made up the 'Araminta Society' and had bets on which one would be the first to take her virginity, if indeed she still had it? Only one, after the foul murder of her husband, Sir Martin, claimed to try and disband the Society, renounce their bet, leave the widow alone to grieve, and avoid the funeral, and that was Elkannah Prout! And he looked as guilty as a puppy sitting next to a big pile of poo (TM. Lieutenant George, ‘Blackadder Goes Forth’)!
Obviously, there was the odd bit of amusement thanks once again to the utter pomposity and lewdness of Henry Redmayne, for example, just before Jean-Paul was sent to prison, he had been hiding out in the mansion of his friend and one time ’life’ model, Lady Hester Lingoe. As the story progressed, more and more of the characters had seen Lady Lingoe's nude portrait, including at different times, both the Redmayne brothers (Jonathan Bale was utterly SCANDALIZED when he'd inadvertently set eyes upon it, haha). Later on, when speaking about that particular portrait, Henry says,
'You should have seen the portrait in which Lady Hester sat.'
'I did see it.' Said Christopher. 'It was tastefully done Henry.'
Henry replied, 'It was - I could taste her as soon as I looked at it!'
Ooft! As Mrs Doyle (from ’Father Ted’) would say, 'He's a bit obsessed with the old S.E.X.'
Regardless however, and just like the author's, Dillman & Masefield stories, the latter few books in the series, being somewhat poor relations to the former novels, makes it slightly easier to say goodbye. So, cheerio Christopher Redmayne and Jonathan Bale, it's been a blast, for the most part at any rate, and bring on Nicholas Bracewell, the Elizabethan age here we come, woohoo!
Sir Martin Culthorpe's claim to fame, is simply because he was married to one, Araminta Culthorpe (née Jewell). Presumably a maiden of such stunning grace, poise and angelic beauty, she could stop a man dead in his tracks, and reduce him to nothing more than a quivering jelly, ready to forsake all, and worship at her feet!
What a load of old bollocks, haha! Nevertheless, it was what it was, and unsurprisingly, Araminta Culthorpe, most definitely had that effect on Henry Redmayne and a group of his friends, whom were every bit as seedy and unprincipled as he was, Sir Willard Grail, Elkannah Prout and Jocelyn Kidbrooke. Whom had egregiously come together to form a 'Society', dedicated to the pursuit of Araminta's deflowering (even although she was married, they didn't believe that Sir Martin had had the wherewithal to consummate it), basically, it was organised stalking and misogyny. Very much reminding me of a seventeenth century equivalent of Mark and Gerard's, 'Dobby Club' from 'Peep Show', or indeed, Ted, Dom (Woogie), Healy and Tucker's ill thought out stalking quartet from, 'There's Something About Mary', but instead of playing it for laughs, here, the author's tales of unrequited love (or 'lust' would be more appropriate) are, as well as being arduously tedious, were also offensively ugly.
Anyway, Sir Martin Culthorpe commissions Jean-Paul Villemot to paint a portrait of Araminta. But as well as the tedium of endless paragraphs about which clothes she will wear during the sitting, where she eventually let's Villemot choose a blue dress, which she will wear for the portrait, we also have to put up with grovelling, sycophantic servants, who's acquiescence to their 'betters' is really quite nauseating, for example, Araminta's maid, Eleanor Ryle, who's 'silent dream', was to 'wear her mistress's blue dress', I mean, c'mon, WTF?! And during the first sitting, the artist asked his model, a couple of everyday questions, but instead of just answering, like a normal person, we had this,
'Jean-Paul Villemot, in her opinion, had overstepped the bounds of propriety.'
Oh do just f*ck off! Haha! F*cking 'propriety' again (see my review of 'The Frost Fair' book #4)!
So eventually, Sir Martin is stabbed in the back, while relaxing in his garden, and because Villemot was spotted in the vicinity, at around the same time, naturally he is accused and after a short hunt, is caught and thrown in jail to await trial. Apart from the fact, that this is almost the exact same plot as 'The Frost Fair', just with different people, we can also throw another recurrence from that book into the mix too, 'predictability'! Not that I'm criticising predictability on its own (de)merit per se, no, some great books can be a bit predictable, it's just that it's part of the overall build up, that turns this book into a particular grind!
It was pretty easy to guess who the culprit was here, out of the four principal scoundrels whom made up the 'Araminta Society' and had bets on which one would be the first to take her virginity, if indeed she still had it? Only one, after the foul murder of her husband, Sir Martin, claimed to try and disband the Society, renounce their bet, leave the widow alone to grieve, and avoid the funeral, and that was Elkannah Prout! And he looked as guilty as a puppy sitting next to a big pile of poo (TM. Lieutenant George, ‘Blackadder Goes Forth’)!
Obviously, there was the odd bit of amusement thanks once again to the utter pomposity and lewdness of Henry Redmayne, for example, just before Jean-Paul was sent to prison, he had been hiding out in the mansion of his friend and one time ’life’ model, Lady Hester Lingoe. As the story progressed, more and more of the characters had seen Lady Lingoe's nude portrait, including at different times, both the Redmayne brothers (Jonathan Bale was utterly SCANDALIZED when he'd inadvertently set eyes upon it, haha). Later on, when speaking about that particular portrait, Henry says,
'You should have seen the portrait in which Lady Hester sat.'
'I did see it.' Said Christopher. 'It was tastefully done Henry.'
Henry replied, 'It was - I could taste her as soon as I looked at it!'
Ooft! As Mrs Doyle (from ’Father Ted’) would say, 'He's a bit obsessed with the old S.E.X.'
Regardless however, and just like the author's, Dillman & Masefield stories, the latter few books in the series, being somewhat poor relations to the former novels, makes it slightly easier to say goodbye. So, cheerio Christopher Redmayne and Jonathan Bale, it's been a blast, for the most part at any rate, and bring on Nicholas Bracewell, the Elizabethan age here we come, woohoo!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2021
I have read the previous 5 novels and sadly felt that there was something missing from this last one.
The book & plot is well written but I wonder why if this was the last book Edward Marston was going to write in the series that he didn't give Christopher a happier ending. In that I mean let him marry his love Susan Cheevers instead of writing her out of the book (he sends her home to Northamptonshire, her father's estate) and we hear of no correspondence between the two.
I also found the character of Henry particularly irritating in this book. I also found Christopher rather bland too. There hasn't really been any development of the characters or growth. Both Johnathan & Christopher sort of stay the same.
However, saying that, I did enjoy the previous books in the series. And before finding these books, I have already enjoyed E.M. The Railway Detective.
The book & plot is well written but I wonder why if this was the last book Edward Marston was going to write in the series that he didn't give Christopher a happier ending. In that I mean let him marry his love Susan Cheevers instead of writing her out of the book (he sends her home to Northamptonshire, her father's estate) and we hear of no correspondence between the two.
I also found the character of Henry particularly irritating in this book. I also found Christopher rather bland too. There hasn't really been any development of the characters or growth. Both Johnathan & Christopher sort of stay the same.
However, saying that, I did enjoy the previous books in the series. And before finding these books, I have already enjoyed E.M. The Railway Detective.
January 9, 2025
Being the last book in the Christopher Redmayne - Restoration series I had anticipated something very special and a lasting tribute to all of the books that preceded it. What I actualy got was a story that was similar to all the others. Not much excitement and a plot that went at methodical pace. While the ending was interesting it was not one that rounded off the series with any great flurry or finalé. Being disappointed I wont be shouting encore
May 31, 2018
First published in 2007, The Painted Lady is the sixth in the Christopher Redmayne series of murder mysteries set in post-restoration London. The Painted Lady of the title is the subject of the latest work by a portrait painter. In the usual style of others in the series, the plot is simplistic and predictable, but the story is made readable by the eccentric characterisations throughout.
June 12, 2018
3.4 -- I liked the series a lot. I like Christopher and Jonathan working together, and I wish there were more books about them. I won't miss Henry, though. I'm disappointed that we didn't get a conclusion to one relationship that ran through the first five books in the series.
July 16, 2020
Very good book as always with Edward Marston. Last in Restoration series but I feel there could have been more to tie up some loose ends for example Christopher Redmaynes relationship with Susan Cheever. The series was very good.
August 26, 2017
Picked this book up at a library sale. Didn't realize it was in a series. Liked the historical information given about the time period. Storyline was ok.
December 25, 2019
DNF. Silly.
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never-read
November 7, 2022[ read the third book in the series, 'The Repentant Rake' and did not enjoy so will not be continuing with the series ]
October 19, 2025
3.5 stars.
December 29, 2020
It was a sweet little book. A cozy whodunitt. The brother of the protagonist stole the show half way through the book. Recommended to the normal crew
July 2, 2015
The Painted Lady by Edward Marston
I gave this book 4.75 out of 5 stars.
I really loved this book, The story is based on an architect and a local constable set in 1671 they have come together and formed a friendship which included working on crime solving together.
The story is about Araminta Jewell and the 4 men who have formed a passionate attachment to her, a great beauty who wants nothing to do with them. They send her gifts and notes and poems and she wants nothing to do with them. She marries, Sir Martin Culthorpe who loves her more than anything in life and she loves him. It is not a marriage of convenience by a love match.
Sir Martin Culthorpe arranges for a wonderful French artist to paint his wifes portrait. Once he starts to paint her he starts to realise he has feelings for her. Not sure what these feelings are he goes to her home one afternoon to see here one more time.
The 4 rakes in the meantime have a bet with each other, who can win the Affection of Araminta Jewell, they do not feel the marriage has been consummated so they carry on trying to get her in to their bed. But one of them wants more, he wants to possess her.
Unfortunatly our 4 rakes do not believe they are out of the picture, they believe that she is still chaste and they want her maidenhood.
The 4 rakes today would be called stalkers and the courts would be involved in trying to keep the men away from the woman. The way they continually send her notes and gifts they bombard her with their attention they believe they have the right to be the one to get this woman into bed and that she would fall in love with them she only has to fall for their blandishments.
On of the men who has feeling for Araminta takes steps to get rid of the one person standing in the way of Araminta being his. Murder
A Very clever look at the way the 17th century looked on women as objects to be owned. The men where the ones to make all the decisions and women would just fall at their feet and do as they where told. I know that even into our enlightened times there are still some men who feel that it is their right to own the woman. But fortunately they few and far between, but here the book is based in an era where a woman has little or no say over her life. Even our happily married Constable and his wife, If she oversteps the bounds set by her husband he knocks her back, maybe not in a really nasty way but she is still to stay within the bounds set for the woman in the 17th Century.
We also look at the murder with a police force that is very hit and miss, some of the constables being very dedicated to the job and like our constable able to look at the case and clues and follow them to the truth, and the others who patrol only to the nearest pub and go in.
I really enjoyed the book and look fwd to the next one
I gave this book 4.75 out of 5 stars.
I really loved this book, The story is based on an architect and a local constable set in 1671 they have come together and formed a friendship which included working on crime solving together.
The story is about Araminta Jewell and the 4 men who have formed a passionate attachment to her, a great beauty who wants nothing to do with them. They send her gifts and notes and poems and she wants nothing to do with them. She marries, Sir Martin Culthorpe who loves her more than anything in life and she loves him. It is not a marriage of convenience by a love match.
Sir Martin Culthorpe arranges for a wonderful French artist to paint his wifes portrait. Once he starts to paint her he starts to realise he has feelings for her. Not sure what these feelings are he goes to her home one afternoon to see here one more time.
The 4 rakes in the meantime have a bet with each other, who can win the Affection of Araminta Jewell, they do not feel the marriage has been consummated so they carry on trying to get her in to their bed. But one of them wants more, he wants to possess her.
Unfortunatly our 4 rakes do not believe they are out of the picture, they believe that she is still chaste and they want her maidenhood.
The 4 rakes today would be called stalkers and the courts would be involved in trying to keep the men away from the woman. The way they continually send her notes and gifts they bombard her with their attention they believe they have the right to be the one to get this woman into bed and that she would fall in love with them she only has to fall for their blandishments.
On of the men who has feeling for Araminta takes steps to get rid of the one person standing in the way of Araminta being his. Murder
A Very clever look at the way the 17th century looked on women as objects to be owned. The men where the ones to make all the decisions and women would just fall at their feet and do as they where told. I know that even into our enlightened times there are still some men who feel that it is their right to own the woman. But fortunately they few and far between, but here the book is based in an era where a woman has little or no say over her life. Even our happily married Constable and his wife, If she oversteps the bounds set by her husband he knocks her back, maybe not in a really nasty way but she is still to stay within the bounds set for the woman in the 17th Century.
We also look at the murder with a police force that is very hit and miss, some of the constables being very dedicated to the job and like our constable able to look at the case and clues and follow them to the truth, and the others who patrol only to the nearest pub and go in.
I really enjoyed the book and look fwd to the next one
January 11, 2021
Older lady and molly are painted, so? Henry is at his worst and best, helping architect brother Chris and Const. Jon free artist client from jail. Husband of portrait beauty is stabbed when her suspect admirers dined together.
Typos: 9.49 ride IS rid
6.46 you reason IS your reason
Typos: 9.49 ride IS rid
6.46 you reason IS your reason
July 12, 2015
A murder mystery set in restored London after the London Fire, about 1670 called the Parliament House by Edward Marston. This was a quick reead (my favorite) with little bits of historical information spattered here and there, without forcing the history down your throat, and thus admirably able to draw you into the story of Christopher and Susan, how their courting will be effected by the attempt on her father's life and Christopher's brother and his life of hedonistic stupidity.
I love historic London, and if I am ever lucky enough to go there, I am sure I will fall in love with the place and have a hard time pulling myself away from it's amazing twisting and turning streets. So this was an easy place for me to fall into and really dig into the story. Now, I am a sucker for a love story, and this story had one in addition to the murder and the attempt on Susan's father. The story moved along at a good pace, had a good number of twists and turns, all the villains got their due coming, and in the end Christopher was able to secure a relationship with the one woman for him. So all in all, a decent book, perhaps not the best I have ever read, and nothing life changing here, but still a worthwhile and enduring story. I definitely recommend this book to lovers of a good historical mystery.
I love historic London, and if I am ever lucky enough to go there, I am sure I will fall in love with the place and have a hard time pulling myself away from it's amazing twisting and turning streets. So this was an easy place for me to fall into and really dig into the story. Now, I am a sucker for a love story, and this story had one in addition to the murder and the attempt on Susan's father. The story moved along at a good pace, had a good number of twists and turns, all the villains got their due coming, and in the end Christopher was able to secure a relationship with the one woman for him. So all in all, a decent book, perhaps not the best I have ever read, and nothing life changing here, but still a worthwhile and enduring story. I definitely recommend this book to lovers of a good historical mystery.
March 6, 2014
Narrator..................Glen McCready
Abr/Unabr...............Unabridged
Genre.......................Crime Mystery
About The Book - Araminta Jewell is a beauty; a dazzling young lady who manages to resist all the blandishments that come her way. But even her marriage to Sir Martin Culthorpe has not discouraged the rakes of London and she is still pursued with unflagging zeal. It is during her first sitting for a portrait that Christopher Redmayne meets the lovely Lady Culthorpe, although he has heard much about her. Before the portrait can be finished, however, Sir Martin is murdered.
Christopher embarks on a quest to discover the killer's identity, but with each new day bringing a fresh batch of suspects, and the matter of whether Sir Martin was killed because of his shady business dealings or for the exquisite prize of his wife still unclear, Christopher knows this will be far from an easy case to crack...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2013
#6 in the Christopher Redmayne, London architect, mystery series. Set around 1670 after the Great London fire of 1666. Redmayne has been commission to design and build a home for an increasing popular portrait painter who has settled in London from Paris. The painter is arrested for the murder of the husband of the woman he has been commissioned to paint and Redmayne, with the help of his friend Constable Jonathan Bale, sets out to prove the painter innocent and find the real murderer.
It is light on historical setting, but great in providing an interesting mystery. Supporting characters are interesting particular recurring Redmayne's brother and Bale, a Puritan who fought with Cromwell and who is at odds with the Restoration.
It is light on historical setting, but great in providing an interesting mystery. Supporting characters are interesting particular recurring Redmayne's brother and Bale, a Puritan who fought with Cromwell and who is at odds with the Restoration.
November 4, 2011
Before I rate This Book, I have to mention that this is the First book of this series, that I have read so I can not judge this book as a part of a series but it will be judged on it's own.
As a stand alone book, it is readable, although in some chapters, I felt that I ve been reading the same sentences 3 times or more which I did not appreciate. No Clifthangers and no surprises. Unfortunately, The Story is interesting but it was not excuted wisely.
Good Effort but not very inspiring, taking into account that the characters are vey shallow with no substance.
As a stand alone book, it is readable, although in some chapters, I felt that I ve been reading the same sentences 3 times or more which I did not appreciate. No Clifthangers and no surprises. Unfortunately, The Story is interesting but it was not excuted wisely.
Good Effort but not very inspiring, taking into account that the characters are vey shallow with no substance.
May 8, 2014
A first time reading an Edward Marston book and found it to be entertaining. Although Marston does not give lengthy descriptions and conversations, which I enjoy, the storyline moves along quickly and holds ones interest. It also was the first "mystery" I have read in some time....I did not solve the mystery. I probably would read another if one were available through our library system. I will be eternally grateful that I did not live during that time period.
March 24, 2015
The usual enjoyable, fast read that I have come to expect from Edward Marston with some great bits of historical info, for instance, this time we get a little background on Molly Houses...
I still like all the supporting characters, such as Christopher's brother Henry, and Constable Bale, but I am getting a little weary of Henry always being at the centre of the mystery as to almost always be a suspect - it's getting to be a coincidence too far.
I still like all the supporting characters, such as Christopher's brother Henry, and Constable Bale, but I am getting a little weary of Henry always being at the centre of the mystery as to almost always be a suspect - it's getting to be a coincidence too far.
September 6, 2012
I enjoyed this book. The dastardly brother was a nice counterpoint to the two main protagonists. I haven't read any of this series before but I think I will try some of the others. The story was engaging and I found the twist at the end when the murderer was revealed was a neat tying up of the story.
September 3, 2013
A group of rakes have determined to debauch society beauty Araminta Jewell. One of the advantages to marrying her beloved husband is that she will now have protection against the rakes. But her husband dies, and (for some reason) there is no one left to protect her but Christopher Redmayne. I found THE PAINTED LADY an enjoyable, very fast read written in Marston's usual smooth style.
August 4, 2016
Love this series and this was one of my favorites. I wish the author would write more books featuring Christopher Redmayne. My only complaint is that the author left the Christopher / Susan Cheever relationship hanging. Why can't authors ever have a "everyone lived happily ever after" ending any more?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2016
This was a fun historic whodunit, but that was all it was. I just noticed that it's one in a series of whodunits all featuring the same sleuth. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook while driving, but the story line was a bit silly. I might pick up another one in the series, but I'm not going to look for them.
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